The PML season is coming to a close and as expected the playoff race is steaming hot as we hit the final stretch. To put the potential playoffs contenders into focus. We’re gonna take a look at each potential team and judge their “Playoff Potential.” By that I mean that we’ll give each team one of four grades based on their records versus other potential playoff teams. What teams will be graded as “Serious Contender, Possible Super Bowl Appearance, Pretender, or Don’t Bother Showing Up.” Without any more rambling lets jump into the NFC side!
Washington Football Team (11-5)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 6-4
Wins: Chargers, Saints, Buccaneers, Raiders, Cowboys (2x)
Loses: Bills, Chiefs, Packers, Broncos
Grade: Serious Contender
It’s been a weird season for the Football Team. They started red hot blowing out two good opponents. By a combined score of 96-30. After that though they received a blowout of their own at the hands of the Buffalo Bills before falling to the non-playoff team Atlanta Falcons. Before that there were talks of Super Bowl favorites in that division. Since then he has performed more to his capability while being carried by strong defense and a great running game behind superstar Antonio Gibson! Even leading them to a possible clean sweep of their own division. (Currently 5-0 in their division). I have to say that I am personally a believer of this Football Team and their suffocating game. But my faith won’t take them to the promise land.
Dallas Cowboys (9-6)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 4-5
Wins: Buccaneers, Vikings, Chiefs, Raiders
Loses: Chargers, Broncos, Saints, Football Team (2x)
Grade: Possible Super Bowl Appearance
The Cowboys had their toughest stretch towards the end of the season. They’ve recently shown struggles, specifically in their divisional matchups against the Football Team. After dropping two straight games to the previous mentioned Football Team and a 7-9 Saints team. It’s really hurt my outlook on how they’ll perform in the playoffs. Coach CEO is someone I’ve always had strong faith in but his inability to win big games down the stretch has hurt the overall view. With that being said he still has the best offensive line in football and a running back in Ezekiel Elliot who can single handedly take over a game. You can’t forget the weapons outside in Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. Therefore it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if they were able to string some wins together and make a Super Bowl appearance but I do not see them as a serious contender at this time.
Green Bay Packers (14-1)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 9-1
Wins: Saints, Lions, 49ers, Bears, Football Team, Chiefs, Vikings, Rams, Ravens
Loses: Bears
Grade: Serious Contender
What can you say about the dominant Packers team that has been lead by “Mr. Perfect” Aaron Rodgers. The veteran quarterback is putting up a godly season. He leads the league in passing while being pulled on multiple occasions because of games being out of hand late. Who knows how much yardage the man would have if he didn’t have to get pulled on those many occasions. They have had one blemish on their record thus far that came from the hands of their divisional rival Chicago Bears. Even with that I don’t think it puts any doubt in anyones mind that the Packers are not only “Serious Contenders” but favorites to make it out of the NFC!
Detroit Lions (12-4)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 6-3
Wins: Ravens, Bears (2x), Vikings (2x), Rams
Loses: 49ers, Packers, Broncos
Grade: Possible Super Bowl Appearance
The god awful Detroit Lions have somehow put together a solid season. Behind the likes of Trace McSorely and Ty Johnson. The main question is “how?” Well if you look at their season they haven’t had the most difficult road. The AFC North has been a welcome mat all season and the NFC West has only one real team based on performances to this point. The Lions could be a serious contender because coach hype mike is one of the leagues best. But with the roster deficiencies he has to deal with isn’t going to make his life easy. There is no one on the roster that strikes any fear into opponents. I think its amazing how he’s been able to string together wins this season while dealing with being at a disadvantage. This disadvantage will only get worse in the playoffs. It wouldn’t be a complete surprise if the coach was able to put something together but its highly unlikely.
Chicago Bears (7-8)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 4-6
Wins: Raiders, Buccaneers, Packers, Vikings
Loses: Rams, Lions (2x), Packers, 49ers, Ravens
Grade: Pretender
Da Bears are not a shoe in for the playoffs. It will have to shake up in their favor for them to make it, but lets discuss the possibility. When putting this together is was a surprise that they were even included. A lot of that surprise has to do with how strong their division is and not necessarily their strength as a coach. They haven’t had the easiest of roads. But with questionable loses and surprising wins. It’s been a completely up and down season for them. Looking ahead I can see them making the playoffs but I don’t see them as an actual contender or even a surprise contender. They’re below .500 for a reason and its apparent that the team isn’t ready for contention. After trading Roquan Smith and a 2nd round pick in a crazy trade they haven’t gotten the push they need. Although they are the only team to hand the powerhouse Packers a loss on the season.
Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 1-8
Wins: 49ers
Loses: Lions (2x), Cowboys, Ravens, Chargers, Packers, Bears, Rams
Grade: Don’t Bother Showing Up
So, the Minnesota Vikings. What to say about their season. They may or may not make the playoffs. In my honest opinion I don’t see it happening. Dalvin Cook has put up a great season but as it stands he’s set to be suspended after being the most overused running back in PML. With Cook I did not believe he was a possible contender and the fact of the matter is that he won’t have his best player if he made the playoffs. Even with him, he only has one win against a potential playoff team and that was the 49ers in a very close one (25-23). They are definitely a “Don’t Bother Showing Up” prime candidate.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 2-7
Wins: Bills, Saints
Loses: Saints, Cowboys, Rams, Dolphins, Bears, Colts, Football Team
Grade: Don’t Bother Showing Up
We’re gonna stick with the trend of not bothering to show up in this situation. The Buccaneers only have two wins against playoff teams this season and one of them may not be one if they win the division (Saints). So that brings their only notable win being the Bills in a surprising upset. That might’ve been able to boost them into “Pretender” territory but they followed that up with a terrible loss to the New York Jets just recently. Coach Malirojo has one of the best teams in the league overall wise but seems to be completely struggling to win important games. Unfortunately it won’t be changing anytime soon.
New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 2-6
Wins: Buccaneers, Cowboys
Loses: Packers, Football Team, Buccaneers, Titans, Bills, Dolphins
Grade: Don’t Bother Showing Up
Okay, anyone out of this NFC South shouldnt bother showing up. Another team with only two wins against playoff teams and like the Buccaneers, if they win the division, they’ll only have one win against a playoff team heading into the Playoffs. At this point the Saints probably don’t make it out of the NFC South since the Buccaneers have that game in hand and an easy schedule to finish out. The loss to them recently is going to haunt them in the future. But in all honesty they should count their blessings because it would’ve been a waste since whoever wins the division will have to go up against the lesser team but extremely better coach hype mike and the Detroit Lions.
Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 6-4
Wins: Bears, Buccaneers, Titans, 49ers, Ravens, Vikings
Loses: Packers, Colts, Lions, Jaguars
Grade: Pretender
This was a difficult one to call, but we went with “Pretender.” One of the main reasons for this was the recent injury to Aaron Donald. The game changer on the defensive line opened up so much for everyone else because of the attention or doubt he would draw in opponents minds. They still have Ramsey on the outside but without a fully healthy team I don’t see them making a strong playoff push. Also with loses to the Packers and Lions with Aaron Donald. Two teams he would likely see in the playoffs. The future doesnt look too bright for Coach Que and the Rams. Looking at their season as a whole the teams hes beaten besides two in the AFC may not even make the playoffs. If healthy going in I would change them to “Possible Super Bowl Appearance.” But I think this injury specifically it will be too difficult to overcome.
San Francisco 49ers (7-9)
Record vs Playoff Possibles: 2-6
Wins: Lions, Bears
Loses: Packers, Colts, Rams, Vikings, Jaguars, Titans
Grade: Don’t Bother Showing Up
The 49ers may or may not make the playoffs this season. But the potential is still there so less talk about it. They are sitting at 7-9 and need alot to go right for them to make the playoffs. They’ve had two wins against playoff teams. One being the Detroit Lions! “So that means they have a shot, right?” As the wolf of wall street would say, “absoluetly, f****** not.” The early season win set high hopes for the group but has proceeded to crumble as the season moved along. They’re playoff team loses arent a terrible list but they did lose to another “Don’t Bother Showing Up” team in the Minnesota Vikings. Also their team isnt necessarily built to win now. They’ll be one of the weaker teams to make it, if they do. Its no guarantee that they get a wildcard spot and make it into the playoffs, but if they do. Dont even waste the plane ticket. Spend that money in bonuses for next season.
